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In this research paper, we explore how advanced manufacturing has led South Korea’s economy for the past several decades. It accounts for 4.5 million jobs, which is about 10% of South Korea’s population. However, the era of the Industry 4.0 is transforming the nature of the workforce in advanced manufacturing industry. Many workers could lose their jobs to automation, but it is likely that they will also find new jobs in similar occupation. Thus, it will be crucial for various stakeholders in the industry: employee, employers, educators, and policy akers to prepare for this changing nature of the workforce. However, our review of policy and research suggests that little is known about the extent to which South Korea is ready for the changing nature of the workforce in advanced manufacturing industry. In this paper, we will explore South Korea’s readiness for the change in advanced manufacturing workforce. Specifically, we will provide a review of literature relating to the impact of automation in advanced manufacturing workforce and how South Korea is preparing workers for the Industry 4.0. We conclude with promising directions for research. Taken together, this paper will offer several promising directions for further investigation into how South Korea can prepare for the impact of automation in advanced manufacturing workforce 

In this research paper, we present a study in which we analyzed and compared three competency models of manufacturing to assess how well the models visually communicate advanced manufacturing (AM) competencies. Advanced manufacturing covers new industrial processes that improve upon traditional methods in quality, speed, and cost. In addition, the dynamic nature of technology and innovation has made it difficult to find a unified illustration of key advanced manufacturing skills. However, three visual models of manufacturing illustrate various stakeholders’ perceptions of the field and depict the competencies individuals need to join the AM workforce. The three models we analyzed are: U.S. Department of Labor’s Advanced Manufacturing Competency Model, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge, and the National Association of Manufacturers-endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System. While the content in these models has been validated by governmental, industry, and educational stakeholders, less explored is whether these models, as visual media, are readily understandable by their intended audiences. In this paper, we will provide an in-depth analysis of these models by using the six fundamental principles of visual design by Edward Tufte (2006): comparisons, causality, multivariate analysis, integration evidence, documentation, and content. Taken together, these principles allowed us to explore the fundamental principles of design in each model and distill promising directions for further investigation into more unified depiction of the advanced manufacturing industry sector’s competencies. 

Advanced manufacturing (AM) is a vital driver of the U.S. economy. AM is also crucial in building U.S. competitiveness by strengthening the scientific and engineering enterprise and providing transformative science and technology solutions. AM anchors rural economies across the country and is especially important to rural America, where it accounts for a larger share of employment and earnings than in urban areas. Broadband Internet connectivity is essential affordance of the “smart” AM production technologies key to U.S. leadership because they enable manufacturers to precisely customize products and supply for increasingly segmented markets. However, our review of policy and research suggests that little is known about the extent to which the U.S. broadband environment can support and enable AM, especially in the prime rural locations. In this paper, we will explore rural communities’ AM readiness. Specifically, we synthesize research and policy documents relating to the centrality of broadband Internet to AM; the state of broadband in rural communities; and the potential for AM transform rural communities. We conclude with promising directions for information science researchers to further investigate the relationship between broadband and the potential for AM to benefit rural communities’ economic potential.